Beavers Extend Erickson Deal

Oregon State coach Dennis Erickson has signed a contract extensiom through the 2004 season after leading the Beavers to their first winning season since 1970.

Erickson, 52, also will receive a raise from $300,000 a year to $480,000, the school said Tuesday.

Erickson signed a five-year deal in January, two weeks after being fired as coach of the Seattle Seahawks. But after the Beavers broke their NCAA-record streak of 28 straight losing seasons with a 7-4 record, Oregon State athletic director Mitch Barnhart wanted to preempt any offers from other schools.

Barnhart and Erickson agreed to the new five-year deal earlier this week. Erickson also will earn income from radio and television, apparel contracts and football camps.

The school also announced Tuesday it has extended the contract for Barnhart, now in his second year at Oregon State. A new four-year rolling contract calls for a salary of $180,000 after his original contract called for a base salary of $165,000.

"I am very pleased that Dennis Erickson will be our coach for the next five years," university President Paul Risser said. "He has done a superb job this year."

Erickson is the first Oregon State coach to produce a winning record in his first season since Tommy Prothro in 1955. The Beavers are headed to the Oahu Bowl to play Hawaii in Honolulu on Dec. 25, Oregon State's first trip to the postseason since the 1965 Rose Bowl.

Not surprisingly, Erickson was pleased about his new contract.

"I am really excited about having the opportunity to continue working with Mitch and President Risser," Erickson said. "They both have shown a great commitment to our football program and I am very appreciative of their efforts."